Capybaras Keep Crashing Brazil's Legislature

The Capybaras Walked Right In

Lawmakers in Brazil were getting ready for a vote when a group of very relaxed visitors came through the front door: capybaras.

The animals wandered into the state legislature building in Cuiaba, in the central-western state of Mato Grosso. A staff member filmed them calmly walking through the halls while people tried to guide them back outside.

This Wasn’t Their First Visit

The July 30 visit looked unusual on video, but staff members were not completely shocked. The legislative building sits beside a park with plenty of wildlife.

Staffer Nayara Bueno told The Associated Press that capybaras show up there often enough that people in the building have become used to seeing them.

This time, the group made it through the entrance while lawmakers were preparing for a voting session. No damage was reported.

They Are Built for a Relaxed Reputation

Capybaras are the world’s largest rodents. They are native to South America and can weigh as much as 175 pounds.

They are semi-aquatic animals that live near rivers, lakes and wetlands. They also tend to live in groups, which helps explain why one capybara sighting can quickly turn into a capybara parade.

Online, the animals have become famous for looking calm in almost every situation. Their quiet walk through a government building did little to hurt that reputation.

Nobody Seemed in a Hurry

Video of the visit showed Bueno gently trying to turn the animals around and send them back toward the park. The capybaras did not appear interested in causing trouble.

They simply wandered through a place where they were not supposed to be, became the most memorable visitors in the building and eventually headed back out.

For once, a government interruption ended without an argument, a protest or even a mess. It was just a group of capybaras taking a very casual tour.

References: Capybaras keep their chill while crashing Brazilian legislature